Details

*I have been working on some blog updates and I want to share them with you. I have a new and improved ABOUT ME page. If you want one like it, let me know and I am sure we can work something out! ALSO, I added a button on my left sidebar for my DESIGN SERVICES. You can now purchase mood boards directly through the Paypal button The page also gives a break down of what's included in the price and includes many examples of previous boards.*

I shared this post a while back as a guest post over on Jackie's blog but I just loved it too much not to share it on my own space. And I also wanted it to be a REMINDER that the design in your home link-up is still open. We extended it for another month so be sure to add your room or house tour and it could be featured right here!!

Rules:
1) Please follow your host (Designer in Teal) and co-host (Jade and Oak) via Bloglovin.
2) Please only link up your own work. You can show off a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. You get the idea. Exteriors/patios are also welcome!
3) Have FUN!

When designing a space there are a lot of layers to making it feel like home. So I want to share a few ways with you on how to finish your space. 

Some areas to focus on in your living room/den are bookshelves and coffee/end tables. Yes they are supposed to be functional but they can also be pretty stylish. 

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Another area to quickly spruce up is your kitchen. You don't want to go adding a bunch of useless things that clutter up your counter space but thats what shelves are for! Or if you are going to put something on the counter, make it something pretty and functional like vintage canisters.

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And finally one of the most overlooked places: the entryway! A mirror can help make a narrow hallway feel larger and its always nice to have a console to drop your keys on.

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So, are you ready to go and make your house a home? I hope you have enjoyed my detail inspiration :) Thanks for having me, Jackie!

XO Samantha

Apartment Updates- Bookcases, Shoe Storage & Dining Chairs

I keep telling you that I am so excited to get back to blogging and yet all week I couldn't think of anything to write about. Well, lucky for you I finally have an idea! 

How about I share some updates to our apartment? I am very happy with the state of our home right now but the designer in me will always find things to change. The majority of our furniture was given to us, brought from home or came from our college apartments.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but some of it just isn't my style.

We have finally found some bookcases to replace our basic 3 shelf ones that flank the tv. 

We are going to get 2 of these beauties tomorrow!

Crate and Barrel

Another piece that we need for the living room is shoe storage or organization for the entryway. I haven't found anything I really like yet. Who knows...maybe this will be my next DIY project?? :)

pebbles

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crates

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baskets/bins

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Now onto the "dining room". I say this in quotations because its more or less an area, not a room. The existing table and chairs were given to us from my Aunt Eva and I have used them for about 3 years now. Will probably replace the chairs first and worry about the table later because we might have a larger dining room when we move again. If we bought a table now it would probably end up being too small.

I have my eye on these!!

Target

Target has 2 of these for $99. World Market has 1 for $119.

Not everyone would want this for a dining room chair because it is informal and is probably not going to be super comfortable. I however adore this industrial look and you can't beat 4 dining chairs for $200, right?? Amazing!!

These inspiration images will probably change your mind if you are on the fence about them.

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Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

High Five for Friday

Guess what?? It's FRIDAY!! YAY :) 

and its time for High Five for Friday!!

1) I got a new planner! I haven't used one since I graduated. I couldn't pass it up since it was TEAL with leopard inside!

2) I got to catch up with some of my besties over the phone!

Denise
(photo by Karla Collegeman Photogpraphy)

Gabby

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Brittany

3) I love my morning cuddle sessions with this guy!

4) I celebrated a year of blogging and a year of working at Courtney Ludeman Interiors!

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5) On our last trip to Target, we saw this! They've got Hokie Spirit! SO ready for college football season :)

Linking up with:

Lauren Elizabeth

McCall's Bright Eclectic Office

 The Lucky girl, McCall, won my bloggy friends giveaway and therefore, won a FREE MOOD BOARD design! So today I am sharing that with you!

I love when I have specific clients/friends to make a board for. It brings me out of my comfort zone and keeps me on a budget :) Do you want me to create one for you?

I could easily determine McCall's style from her blog but I wanted to see what space she wanted me to design.

McCall said: "I would love for the mood board to be done for my spare bedroom that is used as our office. This room acts not only as our office, but also is my craft room (sewing, blogging, illustrating, photography painting, etc) and music room. (piano, guitar) Welcome to apartment life."

I decided to add in a futon just in case they needed to use the space as a guest bedroom. I also wanted to incorporate lots of storage for all of her hobbies! The painted mason jars also make for a unique, inexpensive desk storage option (for pens, pencils, scissors, etc.)

Inspiration

(found on McCall's Pinterest and my Pinterest)

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NOW, go to Design your Dwelling and....

** Make sure to 'like' your favorite design board - they will be featured next week!  ;) **

Resources

Desk: Ikea Micke

Chair: Target

Shelving: Ikea Expedit

Rug: Urban Outfitters

Lamp: Shades of Light

Storage Bins: Target

Pillows: Target

Futon: Target

Mason Jars: Etsy

Dry Erase Board: Target

Inspiration Photo and Colors: Design-Seeds

Do you like bold color? What are some necessities for your home office?

Also, I forgot to mention that my workplace {Courtney Ludeman Interiors} got a new website and added a blog! Be sure to stop by and see it :)

Come back tomorrow because I am co-hosting Wildcard Wednesday!! You don't wanna miss it!

March Features {Design in Your Home}

It was SOOOOO hard to choose which bloggers to feature this month. If you remember I started a link-up a month ago for YOU to show off your homes. Well I was BLOWN AWAY at the response I got from my first month :) 17 of you linked up! I now have A TON of inspiration to share with you.

So because I couldn't choose just one or a few, I am going to give awards to each girl who linked up! Let's get started (in order of links). Prepare yourself for a really long (but awesome) post. And these awards just scratch the surface of all of the hard work and love these ladies put into their homes so PLEASE click on the links to their blogs. It goes directly to the featured post where you can leave them some lovin' for their BEAUTIFUL homes!

And the link-up for April is at the bottom :D

Best Wall Display
Leanne @ And Away We Go

Best Before and After

Dory @ The Doyle Dispatch

Best Outdoor Space

Kalyn @ Love. Laughter. Happily Ever After

Best Mix of Old and New

Jackie @ Jackie Jade

Most Thrifty

House Vintage

Best Color Palette

Michaela @ Michaela Noelle Designs

Best Handbuilt Design

Ashley @ Attempts at Domestication

Most Detailed

Erin @ Cali-land Chic

Best Multi-purpose Space

Gemma @ The Sweetest Digs

oh and a BONUS for using TEAL :)

Best Small Space Design

Ches @ Bee Focused

Best Rustic Design

Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof

Best Eclectic Design
Kimberly @Third Floor Design Studio

Most Sentimental Design
Sara @ You and Me are We

Most Customizable Design

Karla @ Forever Newly Wedded

Most Eye-Catching
Sarah @ Tucker Up

Most Organized
Deme @ Frest Coat of Paint

Best Focal Wall
Darby @ Life with the Hawleys

Hope you have enjoyed these! I could seriously do a whole post on each, but then I would get nothing done! Did it inspire you to go take pictures of your space to share?? THANK YOU for all of your support in my new blog project!

If you are stopping in from one of these ladies blogs, please leave me a comment to say hi! I would love to meet you :)

If you were featured, I will have a button for you to share on your blog soon...I promise!

NOW JOIN IN on the April link-up...

Rules:
1) Please follow your host via GFC or Bloglovin.
2) Please only link up your own home. You can show off a bedroom, living room, bathroom, kitchen, etc. You get the idea. Exteriors/patios are also welcome!
3) Have FUN!

If you do not have a blog but still want to show off your work, you can email me the pictures! samantha.n.shipley@gmail.com